Prologue
THE continent of Platy resembled the outstretched wings of a butterfly. Around 1,300 years ago, the Gods descended upon the land. Dragon God Rave and Goddess Kratos were supposed to rule over the area as a married couple, but the two deities split. That formed the Rakia mountains, which divided the continent into two nations. To the east was the Rave Empire—protected by Dragon God Rave, the deity of logic and the skies—where dragons soared through the air. To the west was Kratos Kingdom, ruled over by Goddess Kratos—the goddess of love and the earth—where the soil was rich with nutrients.
The two nations continued the feud of the gods and clashed several times via wars and skirmishes. Over the next millennium, the Dragon God and Goddess lost their divine rank, and the power and influence they enjoyed during the age of mythos faded away. However, even after the gods were gone, the two nations continued their strife—the reasons may have shifted over time, but they opposed each other.
During the spring of the year of the divine calendar, 1312, Kratos Crown Prince Gerald der Kratos went to study abroad in the Rave Empire in hopes of negotiating peace. He later became the primary suspect in the murder of the previous emperor, Meruonis, and was on the run. Neither the Rave Empire nor the Kratos Kingdom could understand the crown prince’s actions.
“We still haven’t received any word from my brother, have we?” a young princess asked. A mantle far too heavy for a nine-year-old girl’s body was wrapped around her shoulders.
Her attendant, Lawrence Marton, put her wheelchair away as he answered, “So it seems. Perhaps he’s wary of the Rave Empire detecting him.”
“You don’t have to be so considerate of me. I’m sure that my brother is furious. He’s angry that I became queen without his permission.”
The ladies-in-waiting obediently began their final adjustments for the princess’s outfit. This was an unprecedented ceremony and, thus, didn’t allow the reuse of any prior garments or accessories. Everything was brand new and had been prepared solely for the first queen of Kratos to accede to the throne.
“I’m not trying to be overly considerate,” Lawrence replied. “That’s not the kind of relationship we have. And if Crown Prince Gerald were to express his ire, surely it would be toward the king.”
“I do hope so,” the princess replied.
“Oh dear, Faris!” the king cried as he entered the waiting room in bespoke attire with graceful steps. “You’re a bit too cold toward your father, aren’t you?”
With a wave of his hand, Rufus, the current king of Kratos, sent the ladies-in-waiting away after they finished their work. When everyone had left the large room, it felt spacious and chilly.
“To be fair, I only do things that anger Gerald!” Rufus proclaimed. “But I do wonder why my son killed the previous Rave emperor. It’s a horrible move to play, and very unlike him.”
“According to Chancellor Minerd, it was to save Princess Natalie,” Faris replied.
“But did you see his phony grin as he thanked us for sparing his sister?” Lawrence asked. “Perhaps he’s plotting something by giving us such advantageous information. He once took the initiative and fanned the flames of discourse between the Rave Empire and the Kratos Kingdom, didn’t he?”
Faris smiled. “Ah, but this is different from the past. And my brother, who lent a hand to Chancellor Minerd, isn’t here.”
“Is it a good thing that our present differs so much from our past?” Rufus asked.
“It shall certainly be a problem if we follow the same path. Else, the same future shall only await us,” Faris said.
“What shall we do about him, Princess Faris?” Lawrence asked.
The girl smiled back. “I’m not quite sure.”
He sighed and averted his gaze diagonally above. “Very well. I shall think of a plan.”
“Thank you. That will be a huge help,” Faris replied.
“I think I’m starting to understand the Goddess’s approach. Minerd Teos Rave is difficult to handle. I’m sure he’s suspicious of the dragon that managed to infiltrate the Rave Empire, but he shows no sign of wanting more information. I’m not even sure how credible his information about Crown Prince Gerald is.”
“There’s no evidence that my brother committed the murder. Why don’t we claim as much to the Rave Empire?” Faris asked.
“But I’m rather certain that your brother saved the younger sister of the Dragon Emperor,” Rufus said happily. His current situation also differed from the past timeline.
“If that much is true, the Rave Empire will owe us one,” Lawrence replied. “While they cannot be public about their true feelings, I’m certain keeping the previous emperor alive served no value. But His Highness isn’t here to defend himself. I wonder what he’s thinking.”
“I think he’s angry with me,” Rufus answered. “He must be mad that I’m making Faris the queen. Maybe he’s plotting my assassination.”
“If that was his plan, he would’ve done so already. Unless…you’re planning on dying within the next five minutes.”
“Hahaha! You’re so casually insolent! I’m still the king, I’ll have you know. And you’ve also earned the ire of my son. I suggest you watch your back when you’re walking the streets at night.”
“Please don’t say that. Even the mere suggestion of His Highness trying to assassinate me is hardly funny.”
“In any case, my first, rather imposing job shall be to have a meeting with the Rave Empire,” Faris said. “And I must soon decide what shall happen to my brother.”
It was a fitting job for her. Before now, she’d left everything to her older brother, and she had to make up for that.
“Let’s leave the difficult matters for another time,” Rufus said. “First, you must be able to wear the queen’s crown on your head. It’s very heavy.” He innocently winked as he wore the very crown on his head. “Speaking of which, where’s the Sacred Spear? Shall we use an imitation as usual?”
“No, I shall carry the real spear,” Faris replied.